Kelsey is a given name of English origin, derived from the surname Kelsie or Kelsey. The surname itself is believed to have originated from a place name in Scotland, possibly Kelso in Roxburghshire or Kelsall in Cheshire, England. However, some sources suggest that it may also be of Norman origin, brought to Britain by the Normans after the invasion of 1066.
The meaning of the name Kelsey is not entirely clear, as its origin is not well-documented. Some sources suggest that if the name is derived from Kelso, it may mean "cell or monastery in wooded valley" from the Old English elements 'cel' meaning 'cell' or 'monastery' and '-sah' meaning 'wooded valley'. If it is of Norman origin, it might be derived from a personal name composed of Germanic elements such as 'hal' meaning 'hale' or 'healthy' and '-ric' meaning 'power'.
The use of Kelsey as a given name appears to have begun in the United States during the mid-20th century. It gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, likely due to its sound similarity to other popular names at the time such as Leslie and Melissa. Today, it is still used occasionally as a given name, though it is more commonly found as a surname.
In literature and popular culture, there are several notable characters named Kelsey, including Kelsey Grammar who played Dr. Frasier Crane in the television series "Frasier" and Kelsey Grammer who played the same character in the spin-off show "Cheers". Additionally, the name Kelsey has been used as a given name for several fictional characters in books, movies, and TV shows.
Overall, while the origin and meaning of the name Kelsey are not entirely clear, it is a unique and distinctive name with a potentially interesting history. Its use as a given name appears to have been popularized in the United States during the mid-20th century and has since become associated with several notable figures in literature and popular culture.
The name Kelsey experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century. It first appeared around 1891 with 5 births and maintained a low occurrence until the early 1960s when it began to rise steadily, peaking at 39 births in 1968. This trend continued into the 1970s, reaching an all-time high of 250 births in 1989. However, since then, popularity has decreased considerably, with only 11 births recorded in 2021 and 23 in 2022. In total, there have been 5301 babies named Kelsey from 1891 to 2023.